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If I were an LDS Actor

If I were an LDS Actor

:spock: If you were an actor/actress and asked to have a major role in a movie that was 'R' rated because of the profanity, BUT your role does not involve anyting bad, would you do it?

Actor LDS were If

Hmmm I want to be as honest as possible, sometimes they rate movies 'R' because the subject of the movie is for adults only (it doesn't necessarly means is about sex or other issues). Maybe JB, you can explain more what kind of movie is the one you are giving in the example.

If I were an LDS Actor Studies Doctrine Mormon

If I were an actress and I was offered a role in an "R" rated movie, and I didn't have to do anything that would be a part of the R rating, I would still say no. If I don't want to watch an R rated movie, then I certainly don't want to participate in one. The prophets have told us numerous times that R rated movies are not
appropriate to view. I do not want to be associated in any way with an R rated movie. Here's part of why:

And this:

Also, I want to be an example for my children, doing righteous and wholesome activities. By acting in an R rated movie, I don't think I would be setting a very good example of that.

Edited: dawnofthenew on 17th Jan, 2005 - 11:57am

Actor LDS were If

We should remember that movies are not rated until after they have been finished. When you read a script, it doesn't say this movie will be rated "R" or "PG-13." Now, some scripts probably are obvious that they will be rated "R" or G"" based solely upon the content, but sometimes it all depends upon how the director chooses to portray certain aspects of it.

So, it seems you could end up in an "R" rated movie, unintentionally. However, if the majority of an LDS actor's movies end up being rated "R" then I would think they might want to take a closer look at the scripts before accepting them, unless they don't see anything wrong with it, which is also a possibility for some.

Edited: tenaheff on 17th Jan, 2005 - 12:41pm

Actor LDS were If

Very true, Tenaheff. I would need to see the entire script then and determine for myself if the movie had anything against my standards in it. If so, then I wouldn't do it. If they later put in, let's say a nude scene, I couldn't really help that and was possibly lied to in the first place. But you could bet I wouldn't be doing business with them anymore. I would think that most casting director's, or whoever is pitching me the role, does not have the inclination to waste time or money by deceiving me. If there is any possibility of added violence, swearing, or sex scenes I think they would tell me. Why waste the time when there is such an abundance of actresses? For me, because of these very issues, I doubt I would ever want to become an actress anyway.

Edited: dawnofthenew on 17th Jan, 2005 - 1:50pm

If I were an LDS Actor

If I were an actor, I would not want to appear in a movie that did not meet my standards and those of the church. That would be regardless of the rating. Some PG-13 movies fall into the category that do not meet the standards of the church. And, some R rated movies in my opinion are acceptable. Most are not but some are. The point being, you cannot rely on the rating that the Motion Picture Association gives a movie to determine if it contains unacceptable content.

I think JD's original question referred to a movie being rated R because of the profanity. I gues if it was laced with the F word in nearly every scene, I would turn down the role. But if there was an occasional swear word, I might accept. Not that it's ok to swear a little but I would make the decision based on the entire feel for the script. However, a movie with an occasional swear word an no other inappropriate content would not be rated R. So, if a movie is getting the R rating due to language, it is probably laced with bad language which means my answer would be no, I would turn it down.

If were LDS Actor

My opinion is more personal than anything else because I want to be an actress. I think I would of course check the script and see if it is something I would like to do. Look at "Schindler's List" for instance, it was rated "R" because of the mature content of it but if I was an actress, I would "die" to have a role in that movie!. So I do not personally think I care so much about the rating of the end, but I would care a lot about the amount of swearing, sexual content and so on. I would not swear or do anything I do not consider appropiate. But I do not want to be a hypocrite and said that I would never have a part on a movie that is rated R, because that's not what I would do. Look at the Matrix as another example, is rated R, yet is an excellent movie that I would LOVE to have a role in!.

If were LDS Actor Mormon Doctrine Studies

For me, the process would be to understand the overall nature of the script, and my place in it. If it was a film I wouldn't want my family to see, I wouldn't take the role, because I would probably have to sit with them in the theater on opening night. What would I say to them? Could I really justify something terrible by saying, "Oh, this isn't that bad. Close your eyes in about three minutes, and the rest of it is pretty okay," and expect them to agree with me? Never. A major motion picture would be a memory of me that would live on for my grandchildren long after I die. I would not want to taint a decent life with an association to something unwholesome.